The Midget AA Colts fell to Newmarket Thursday night in game 6 of the league finals, OMHA quarter final playoffs.
In what was supposed to be a 5 game series, both teams battled hard and in the end, it took extra games to declare a winner.
The Colts started the series on the road, came out flying and set the tone for the series. The Colts opened the scoring when Patrick Galloway found the back of the net with assist to Mitchell McMahon and Crossley Stewart. McMahon then got one of his own with assists to Galloway and Ben Painter and the Colts led 2-0. Later in the game, Luke Stevens extended the lead to 3 with the assist to Grady Burke. Newmarket managed 1 in the 3rd but behind Owen Kellachan, the Colts took game one by a score of 3-1.
Game 2 was back in Barrie and this was the first indication that this may be a long series. Newmarket scored first and held a 1-0 lead into the 3rd period. The Colts kept pushing and with only minutes remaining, Alex Howard scored his first of the season off a great pass from Ethan Pegg and the game was tied at 1-1. Off to overtime and Michael Brassor kept the boys in it until Luke Stevens blocked a shot and battled his way to a breakaway. With Newmarket players hanging off him, he beat the Newmarket goalie and gave Barrie a 2-1 win and a 2-0 series lead.
Game 3 sent the boys back to Newmarket and they were not going to let this series go without a fight. That night was a tough one for Barrie. Adam Lewis opened the scoring with an assist to Hayden Bruining and the Colts held a 1-0 lead. Newmarket tied it as the first came to an end but then exploded for 4 unanswered goals and took game 3 by a score of 5-1.
Game 4 was to be back in Barrie and the fans came out for this one !! Unfortunately the refs did not and the game was postponed.
This meant back to Newmarket for Game 4 on Sunday night. After some tough travel, the boys hit the ice but once again, a motivated Newmarket team trying to avoid elimination were too much to handle. After Newmarket jumped out to a 2-0 lead, a questionable play running the net saw Owen Kellachan have to leave with injury and Brassor come in to take over.
Newmarket managed 2 more and held a 4-0 lead into the 3rd period.
Caleb Booth scored in the 3rd with assist to Lewis and Crosley and the game ended 4-1 but the Colts were finding some push back.
Game 5 was to go Monday night in Barrie but weather again played a factor as Newmarket cancelled.
Game 5 went Tuesday night at Allandale and once again the house was packed to support the boys.
This time, the Colts were ready and played our best compete game of the year. Newmarket scored first and held a 1-0 lead into the second before Galloway scored with assist to McMahon to tied the game at 1-1.
Both teams went hard and end to end during the 3rd period but nothing was decided and off to OT.
During the OT, both teams had great chances and Michael Brassor closed the door when needed.
A late penalty called on Barrie and put the pressure on but a great kill saw the teams back to 5 on 5 for the last minute. Barrie had 4 glorious chances in the last minute but couldn't beat the Newmarket goalie and game 5 ends in a 1-1 tie.
Game 6, back in Barrie for Wednesday and once again weather a factor as Newmarket cancels.
Thursday night, both teams meet at Holy Rec for what would be the opportunity to represent York Simcoe in the OMHA semi finals.
Both teams came out flying and hitting hard. Chances at both ends but Newmarket find the back of the net first and held a 1-0 lead at the end of 1.
In the 2nd, after a tough bounce that no one could find, Newmarket nets their second and a 2-0 lead in game.
At the 12 minute mark of the 2nd, Patrick Galloway nets Barrie's first of the game with the assist to McMahon and the boys were back in it, trailing by 1.
With each guy giving his all, Barrie created chances but just couldn't get one, as Newmarket gets the insurance marker in the 3rd and wins game 6 by a score of 3-1.
Good luck to Newmarket as they represent York Simcoe in the OMHA semi finals, go win it for our league.
To the boys on the Colts, GREAT SERIES and great run in the OMHA's. We have known all along that we were a good team and the time to prove it is in the playoffs, and you guys did that !! When you have other teams in your league cheering for you - it speaks volumes so congrats on a great OMHA run !!
NOW, keep the momentum and pace going. The only thing worse than being in the YS's, is not winning the YS's so lets go do this !!
#bluehats
GO COLTS GO !!!